Best of 2013 - Allyson's Take
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at 12:01AM Note: this article also appears in the Dayton City Paper. As such, it encompasses all metal and not just Glam.
2013 was a great year for music, especially metal. There are many different ways to classify metal, but this list will focus on mainly hair-metal inspired tunes. This means bands from the 80s that are still kicking it with new jams, and new bands playing tribute to their influences.
Some albums will undoubtedly cross over from just the “best of metal” lists straight to the “best albums of the year” category. One of those records is the Billboard number 1 hit Hail to the King by California metal outfit Avenged Sevenfold. Easily the most complete metal release of 2013, some have gone as far to accuse Avenged Sevenfold, also known as A7X, of recording a Metallica tribute album. But Hail to the King is so much more than a tribute to great metal acts of yore. It’s the seminal metal album of the decade. With Hail to the King, A7X easily cemented their place in metal history as the next arena band. There aren’t many acts that can fill arenas anymore, but Avenged Sevenfold can, and they will. There’s a reason the band members wear Guns n’ Roses and Iron Maiden T-shirts on stage: influence and respect. Twenty years from now, some aspiring young musician will have on a vintage A7X shirt for the same reason. Prime cut “This Means War.”
Michael Monroe, Horns & Halos easily makes the cut as one of the best of 2013. Originally singer of the Finnish Glam band Hanoi Rocks, Monroe is wowing crowds as a solo act. Monroe’s guitarist is Steve Conte (formerly of the New York Dolls), further cementing his glam cred. Prime cut “Stained Glass Heart.”
Black Veil Brides created an epic concept piece with Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones. Released at the beginning of 2013, the album continues to garner buzz in the music world for its innovative use of story and song. They top it all off with Motley Crue Shout at the Devil era stage looks. Prime cut “Lost It All.”
Back in 2012, Mike Portnoy (originally of Dream Theater fame), Richie Kotzen and Billy Sheehan (of Mr. Big) formed a supergroup called the Winery Dogs. The band gigged around for fun and finally decided to write and record some tunes. The Winery Dogs was released in July of this year to much critical fanfare. The band has a laid back, classic rock vibe. Some people refer to the Winery Dogs as a bar band, but they are so much more. Sure, they might fit in on a cruise ship. Then again, they’ll fit in at an arena show too. Prime cut “Time Machine.”
Metal wouldn’t exist if not for Black Sabbath. When the band announced plans for a new album and tour, the metal community definitely stood up and took collective notice. 13 may or may not be the band’s final album. The rub, of course, is drummer Bill Ward. A contract dispute in 2012 lead to his eventual departure from the band. While some purists believe an album without Ward isn’t really Sabbath at all, enough other fans disagreed, sending 13 right up the Billboard charts. Prime cut “God Is Dead?”
A lot of people know Stryper more for their yellow and black bumblebee themed costumes than for their music, but that might change after this year’s release No More Hell to Pay. Bucking the trend of endless partying and drugs in the 80s, Stryper remain one of the most commercially successful Christian rock outfits of all time. Unlike a lot of modern Christian musical acts, Stryper wear their religion on their collective spandex sleeves. Even in 2013, the guys in Stryper throw Bibles at the end of each show, just like they did back in 1986. Prime cut “Sympathy.”
One British band with a major 80s throwback vibe making waves in 2013 is Asking Alexandria. When Asking Alexandria first hit the scene, they were metalcore through and through. Now, a few albums under their belts, the guys have evolved to a more commercial rock sound. The hardcore edge is still there, but so are the ballads and songs that make bands famous. From Death to Destiny came out in August at the tail end of the summer concert season. The end of summer release didn’t hurt the band’s sales any, and Asking Alexandria is currently touring around the world on the back of their new release.
Prime cut “Moving On.”
Asking Alexandria share a label with I See Stars. Both bands are on Sumerian, home to some of the most successful hardcore acts going today. What sets I See Stars apart from other hardcore acts is that they are more electronica than run of the mill metal. In fact, band members describe their own sound as electronic hardcore music. Think of it as listening to metal… in a dance club. After a few delays, I See Stars released New Demons in October. New Demons is both a solid and logical follow-up to the band’s breakthrough album Digital Renegade. I See Stars changed their sound with both Digital Renegade and New Demons. The band went edgier, but the dance sensibilities are still there, meaning New Demons is a sure bet to blast at your next party. Prime cut: “Violent Bounce.”
Buckcherry is everyone’s favorite modern-day sleaze band. Chugging away for years and years, Buckcherry recently wrote and recorded a semi-concept album called
Confessions. Based on the Seven Deadly Sins, Confessions explores the inner demons each band member faces. Confessions takes Buckcherry to the next level in song writing ability and creative execution. Yes, the same band that brought you “Crazy Bitch” is now singing about “Greed” and “Gluttony.” Prime cut “Nothing Left But Tears.”
Reader Comments (26)
I didn't make a list because I only bought 4 new releases this year.
Out of the 4 only one is a brand new studio release.
1.Michael Monroe-Horns & Halos
2.Nirvana-In Utero (20th Anniversary Edition)
3.Sebastian Bach-Abachaylpse Now (Live)
4.Bret Michaels-Jammin With Friends (Compilation)
Anyway, check out my "WORST ALBUMS OF 2013" List in Comments on Kim's post of her "BEST OF 2013" following this one.
It's so pathetic the way you constantly try to rip on him. He is the only glam metal artist around who brings media attention to glam metal almost daily. Keep bashing him so glam metal will never make a comeback.
Oh that's right...you only care about bands that sounds like hair. Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. Go back to listening to your hair bands. You should start a website called "Bring Back Hair" than you could attract like minded guy's and you could all cream your jeans together talking about how hairy a band sounds.